Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant: A Novel (Ballantine Reader's Circle)
15 journalers for this copy...
Great book about a family and the impact of the loss of their father. Very good characters and interesting plot!
Received the book yesterday (thank you!) and I've already started and am on page 50!
From when I picked this book up I found it hard to put down. It was one of those books where you think, ah, I'll just read one more chapter even though each chapter is about 20 pages. The title intrigued me, especially being an American in Australia I really like the idea of the Homesick Restaurant.
I think Anne Tyler did a really good job with her characters so that even if you didn't like them (Cody) you could understand them. It's interesting how different the three children developed from their circumstances.
Overall, a good read, and I would be tempted to pick up more of Anne Tylers work!
Will be sending off to Shelly-Sparkles for the book ray (probably later today)!
I think Anne Tyler did a really good job with her characters so that even if you didn't like them (Cody) you could understand them. It's interesting how different the three children developed from their circumstances.
Overall, a good read, and I would be tempted to pick up more of Anne Tylers work!
Will be sending off to Shelly-Sparkles for the book ray (probably later today)!
Journal Entry 4 by KMENDAY at Controlled Release in -- Controlled Releases --, Queensland Australia on Monday, July 7, 2008
Released 15 yrs ago (7/6/2008 UTC) at Controlled Release in -- Controlled Releases --, Queensland Australia
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
Posted to Shelly-Sparkles for the book ray
Posted to Shelly-Sparkles for the book ray
Received in the mail today.
I am reading a Sophie Kinsella at the moment so this shall go on the TBR pile.
Thanks for passing along.
I am reading a Sophie Kinsella at the moment so this shall go on the TBR pile.
Thanks for passing along.
I found Pearl to be so similar to the negative woman in my life.
Is it any wonder Cody felt the need to leave and be protective of what he finally was able to call his?
I enjoyed the read but really would not recommend this book to my friends.
It is a book that I feel you read and then you go "o - ho hum - is that it?".
I was also left wondering about the eldest son in the marriage of Jenny and her new partner.
Is it any wonder Cody felt the need to leave and be protective of what he finally was able to call his?
I enjoyed the read but really would not recommend this book to my friends.
It is a book that I feel you read and then you go "o - ho hum - is that it?".
I was also left wondering about the eldest son in the marriage of Jenny and her new partner.
Looked on the Cliff's wish list and am now sending to twinkpuddin as this is on her wanted list!
Will be posting this snail mail so about 6 weeks it should take.
Will be posting this snail mail so about 6 weeks it should take.
Thanks, Shelly-Sparkles! Can't wait to read :)
Finished a lil' bit ago, but finally getting around to journaling it. I enjoyed it! What I found most interesting about it was how it was a life review for Pearl. The idea of knowing you're at the end of your life and looking back at what it was intrigued me. What a person hopes and dreams were, whether they became reality, what they wished was different. It seems what you intend for your life or what you think it was isn't always so. I guess that all sounds fairly depressing, but I actually found it inspiring instead. At the same time, there's always the chance right now to try to make things how you dream them to be.
Starting a bookray.
dabercro - UT (US only) - finished
Rrrcaron - NH (prefers US) - finished
nancynova - PA (ship int'l) - finished
Originalmulli - UK - finished
Lizzy-stardust - UK - finished
madmadge - UK (prefers UK/EU) - finished
Tregossip - UK (prefers UK/EU) - finished
PurpleElephant - UK (will ship anywhere) - finished
Kerriou - UK (prefers UK/EU)
Vamperstein8782 - UK (prefers UK/EU, int'l if needed) - finished
Icila - France (ship anywhere) - finished
luckof - Canada (will ship US if needed) - asked to be skipped
amidabutsu - Canada (prefer NA, int'l if needed)
easterngirl71 - IL (US only - towards end)
Calimade - FL (US only)
saram23 - MA
Please log in the book so we know it got to you. When you have finished the book, send a PM to the next person on the list to get his or her mailing address. If anything comes up and you need to be moved further down the list, just let me know!
Enjoy!!
dabercro - UT (US only) - finished
Rrrcaron - NH (prefers US) - finished
nancynova - PA (ship int'l) - finished
Originalmulli - UK - finished
Lizzy-stardust - UK - finished
madmadge - UK (prefers UK/EU) - finished
Tregossip - UK (prefers UK/EU) - finished
PurpleElephant - UK (will ship anywhere) - finished
Vamperstein8782 - UK (prefers UK/EU, int'l if needed) - finished
Icila - France (ship anywhere) - finished
amidabutsu - Canada (prefer NA, int'l if needed)
easterngirl71 - IL (US only - towards end)
Calimade - FL (US only)
saram23 - MA
Please log in the book so we know it got to you. When you have finished the book, send a PM to the next person on the list to get his or her mailing address. If anything comes up and you need to be moved further down the list, just let me know!
Enjoy!!
One its way to dabercro today!
Received in the mail yesterday. This will be my next read. Should be able to start it in about a week.
I really enjoyed this book. Great characters. The book was hard to put down. Pearl was so concerned about what others thought of her and her family that she couldn't be honest with herself or her children. I liked that the story was told from the perspective of each family member. Cody was a character that I loved to hate. My heart went out to Ezra.
Thanks, twinkpuddin, for sharing. I have the next participant's address and will mail the book on early next week.
Thanks, twinkpuddin, for sharing. I have the next participant's address and will mail the book on early next week.
Journal Entry 14 by dabercro at -- BOOKRAY, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA on Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Released 14 yrs ago (9/1/2009 UTC) at -- BOOKRAY, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Sent to the next participant, Rrrcaron, in NH.
Sent to the next participant, Rrrcaron, in NH.
I received this book in the mail today, will get to it soon!
Ruth
Ruth
I found this book to be a sad yet at the same time uplifting story. The family sure had their share of problems, yet each member handled them so very differntly from one another. I felt the worst for Cody, he never managed to let go. Maybe being with his Dad after his mom's funeral will help to change things for him. Thanks for sharing this read, and sending on to next in line....
Ruth
Ruth
Oh - the poor mailman today! All the books arrived at once. Logging it in and adding to the "special" shelf. Will PM next in line and have mailing packet ready to go, so this can be shipped on it's way as soon as possible.
Looking through my rings/rays list and realized I need to start moving on reading this! So, started (actually restarted - I got distracted the first time) reading this. I have the enveloped ready to go for the next person in the ray. And hopefully it's a fast read, because i really don't want to drag it back to Philly to post it.
As another bookcrosser noted, this was a "just one more chapter" book until it was done!
The story revolves around matriarch Pearl, her three children - Cody, Ezra and Jenny and one grandchild, Luke - with the father who deserted them appearing in the last pages.
Each chapter is written by one of the main characters - so, it's very interesting to see each one's take on the very same situation. Pearl in the beginning of the book is so negative, but I found myself wondering toward the end - if being abandoned with three little kids (and not much better than abandonment before), didn't allow her some bitterness. And with the different narrators, was she really a horrible mother - or was that just single moment perceptions that took over, so that was all that was left?
Off to the UK, for the next person to read1
The story revolves around matriarch Pearl, her three children - Cody, Ezra and Jenny and one grandchild, Luke - with the father who deserted them appearing in the last pages.
Each chapter is written by one of the main characters - so, it's very interesting to see each one's take on the very same situation. Pearl in the beginning of the book is so negative, but I found myself wondering toward the end - if being abandoned with three little kids (and not much better than abandonment before), didn't allow her some bitterness. And with the different narrators, was she really a horrible mother - or was that just single moment perceptions that took over, so that was all that was left?
Off to the UK, for the next person to read1
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Posting to the UK from the Florida house. happy reading!
Posting to the UK from the Florida house. happy reading!
Journal Entry 21 by Originalmulli from Llandyfriog, Wales United Kingdom on Sunday, December 6, 2009
Received! Thank you, and thank you Nancy for all the cards and stickers! That was a lovely little bonus. I adore Anne Tyler so can't wait to get started on this.
Journal Entry 22 by Originalmulli from Llandyfriog, Wales United Kingdom on Thursday, January 21, 2010
Really enjoyed this while I was reading it but I found it strangely un-memorable compared to most Anne Tyler's that I have read. Usually her characters stay with me fairly permanently but I just kind of forgot about these. I did enjoy the multiple perspectives, though I was thrown sometimes at the beginning of a chapter until I worked out how much time had passed.
I also thought it was kind of unusual for Anne Tyler in having a fairly positive ending. It definitely feels like there might be some possibility of healing for Cody coming up. I felt very sorry for Luke - along the lines of the "sins of the fathers visited on the children"...
Very glad to have read it though and added to my Tyler collection. :)
I'm really sorry to have had this for so long!!! I think it's partly because I found it so unmemorable that I literally forgot about the book! And then it was Christmas, and then we had snow for ages and I'm very rural and couldn't get out to the post office. It will be on its way finally tomorrow.
I also thought it was kind of unusual for Anne Tyler in having a fairly positive ending. It definitely feels like there might be some possibility of healing for Cody coming up. I felt very sorry for Luke - along the lines of the "sins of the fathers visited on the children"...
Very glad to have read it though and added to my Tyler collection. :)
I'm really sorry to have had this for so long!!! I think it's partly because I found it so unmemorable that I literally forgot about the book! And then it was Christmas, and then we had snow for ages and I'm very rural and couldn't get out to the post office. It will be on its way finally tomorrow.
Journal Entry 23 by Lizzy-stardust from Salford, Greater Manchester United Kingdom on Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Received in yesterday's post. I am only a quarter of the way through my current read so will not get to this for about a week or two, but will read this next. thanks!
Journal Entry 24 by Lizzy-stardust from Salford, Greater Manchester United Kingdom on Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Just finished reading this one and unfortunately was not overly impressed with it. Normally I love Anne Tyler. Her characters are all so real and the plots just ring true, plus all her books (the ones I've read anyway) are set in Baltimore, my home town. But this one was just a bit...I don't know, slow. I mean, i just didn't feel like anything really happened, and ev en though it was a story of a single woman raising three kids on her own, I have read plenty of books where both parents are present and the father is hardly mentioned, so I guess that was what was lacking for me. I mean, all the things the kids went through that were supposedly a result of their father leaving them could just as easily have happened to children in a non-broken home. So, I guess I mostly found it a bit boring because I wanted something more dramatic. Of course, knowing Anne Tyler's talent for writing real life so perceptively, I guess I shouldn't have expected this, so the dault with this book was clearly a fault with me and no failing on Tyler's part at all.
Anyway, I'm glad to have had the chance to read this book. Thank you for sharing. Hope madmadge appreciates it a bit more than I did.
Anyway, I'm glad to have had the chance to read this book. Thank you for sharing. Hope madmadge appreciates it a bit more than I did.
The book arrived safely this morning. I hope to get to it fairly quickly but I have one book to finish before I can.
Thank you LizzyStardust for sending it to me and twinkpudding for including me.
Thank you LizzyStardust for sending it to me and twinkpudding for including me.
I always feel guilty when I don't enjoy a bookring book but I'm afraid that's the case with this one. I tried so hard to finish it but, in the end, I couldn't bear to pick it up. It's sat on my dining room table waving at me for three days now and I think it's time to send it on its way to someone who will appreciate it more than me.
I found it gloomy, boring and depressing which is not what I need right now but I still appreciate being given the opportunity to try it. So sorry I couldn't finish it. :0(
Will PM the next in line and get it away next week.
I found it gloomy, boring and depressing which is not what I need right now but I still appreciate being given the opportunity to try it. So sorry I couldn't finish it. :0(
Will PM the next in line and get it away next week.
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
On its way to Tregossip in Cornwall.
On its way to Tregossip in Cornwall.
Arrived yesterday and thanks for posting madmadge
I've read 3 from Anne Tyler and enjoyed, notably Digging to America
I've read 3 from Anne Tyler and enjoyed, notably Digging to America
Anne Tyler draws her characters so well, this time it was the story that disappointed.
have PM'd the next person for addy to send on it's way again
have PM'd the next person for addy to send on it's way again
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Enjoy
Enjoy
Journal Entry 31 by PurpleElephant from Glastonbury, Somerset United Kingdom on Saturday, May 8, 2010
This book arrived yesterday, thanks ever so much for sending. I'm going to start reading today.
Journal Entry 32 by PurpleElephant from Glastonbury, Somerset United Kingdom on Sunday, May 16, 2010
This is my first Anne Tyler and I adored this book. I loved the way she managed to pull off the multiple perspectives without it being confusing. The characters were complex and believable, though not always likeable I felt I could empathise and understand why they acted the way they did. I also found this book heartwarming and funny in a poignant way, particularly in that the family whatever happened to them couldn't help returning to each other in the end.
I will be looking out for more of Anne Tyler.
Have contacted Kerriou for an address.
I will be looking out for more of Anne Tyler.
Have contacted Kerriou for an address.
Journal Entry 33 by rem_AMJ-898913 at Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk United Kingdom on Friday, July 30, 2010
Received safely, thanks. I've got one book ahead of it but will get reading asap
Journal Entry 34 by rem_AMJ-898913 at Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk United Kingdom on Thursday, September 2, 2010
An interesting read, occasionally meandered a little too much for my liking but overall a good story.
Waiting for address then will be mailing on.
Waiting for address then will be mailing on.
Journal Entry 35 by rem_AMJ-898913 at Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk United Kingdom on Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Released 13 yrs ago (9/21/2010 UTC) at Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk United Kingdom
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Sorry for the delay, life got in the way of getting to the post office. Book finally on it's way now
Safe with me, thanks! I'll be abroad till the end of october. Let me know if it's too late to read it in november.
I too found hard to pick it down. I liked all the characters in the end and it's cery intersting to have every one given his point of vue on the others members of the family.
I agree with the author who thinks that the childhood is everlasting in your proper self.
Thanks for sharing.
PMing luckof.
I agree with the author who thinks that the childhood is everlasting in your proper self.
Thanks for sharing.
PMing luckof.
Luckof wishes to be skipped.
I'll ask the next mid-january.Too late to mail now, I'm leaving for a bit.
I'll ask the next mid-january.Too late to mail now, I'm leaving for a bit.
Journal Entry 39 by 
Icila
at La Chapelle-sur-Erdre, Pays de la Loire France on Friday, January 21, 2011
Icila at La Chapelle-sur-Erdre, Pays de la Loire France on Friday, January 21, 2011
Released 13 yrs ago (1/21/2011 UTC) at La Chapelle-sur-Erdre, Pays de la Loire France
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
In its way to amidabutsu a few kilometers to the south. :)
I found the book under a pile of things I've started to sort out. I absolutely forgot I had it. So I'm finishing the one I'm reading now and I'm starting right after, so I can send it on its way and not hold the bookray too long.
at first, i wasn't sure i liked it. then, it got to me and i ended up really enjoying it. the story is somewhat uneventful but i liked the study of the characters and how they work and why.
i'm sorry i've been keeping the book for so long. i changed countries, got broke, all that fun stuff. so as my new year resolution, i'm sending all the books i have been hoarding on their way. this one included.
i'm sorry i've been keeping the book for so long. i changed countries, got broke, all that fun stuff. so as my new year resolution, i'm sending all the books i have been hoarding on their way. this one included.
